Jed Steven Ong Cunanan | Painter, Illustrator & LEGO Sculptor
Meet the Artist Behind Spidercide
Where Pop Culture, Fine Art, and Imagination Collide
Jed Steven Ong Cunanan, professionally known as Spidercide, is a multidisciplinary Filipino artist based in Baguio City, Philippines. Specializing in painting, illustration, LEGO sculpture, and mixed-media art, he brings a distinctive perspective to contemporary art by blending traditional fine art techniques with the imaginative world of comics, superheroes, and popular culture.
His work explores the intersection of familiar fictional characters, historical events, and modern society. By reimagining iconic superheroes in unexpected settings, Spidercide challenges audiences to see these characters beyond their traditional narratives.
From incorporating superhero imagery into abstract paintings inspired by Cold War tensions to creating elaborate LEGO sculptures, his artwork transforms recognizable pop culture figures into thought-provoking artistic expressions.
For Spidercide, art is more than a visual representation of beloved characters. It is an opportunity to explore their untold stories, reinterpret their identities, and connect fictional worlds with real-life experiences.
The Beginning of an Artistic Journey
Born on May 8, 2001, in Baguio City, Jed developed a fascination with art and storytelling at an early age. Growing up surrounded by television shows, animated series, comic books, and superhero films, he became captivated by the creativity behind fictional characters and the worlds they inhabited.
His artistic journey began around the age of four, when he started painting familiar pop culture characters on canvases prepared by his tutor. What initially started as a childhood pastime gradually developed into a lifelong passion for visual storytelling.
By the age of eight, Jed had discovered comic books, particularly stories featuring Batman and other iconic superheroes. He became fascinated by how a single character could be reinterpreted across different timelines, artistic styles, and fictional universes while maintaining a recognizable identity.
This realization became one of the foundations of his artistic philosophy: creativity has no fixed boundaries, and even the most familiar subjects can be transformed into something entirely new.
As his interests expanded, Jed began collecting comics, customizing LEGO figures, experimenting with illustrations, and developing original interpretations of his favorite characters.
From Childhood Passion to Formal Art Education
Jed's artistic abilities developed significantly during his education at Brent International School Baguio, where he received formal training in visual arts.
Under the mentorship of Sir Robert "Bob" Joaquin, he studied essential artistic principles, including anatomy, shading, composition, color theory, and traditional painting techniques.
His education also introduced him to influential artists such as Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Henri Matisse, and Georges Seurat. Their approaches to color, form, expression, and composition helped shape his appreciation for both classical and modern art.
During his time at Brent, Jed developed a particular interest in combining traditional artistic techniques with contemporary subjects drawn from comics and popular culture.
His dedication eventually led him to pursue the International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB HL) Visual Arts program from 2017 to 2019, where he was the sole student in his batch to continue the course under Sir Robert Joaquin.
One of his early achievements was having his artwork featured in the Flora Art Exhibition in February 2016, including its promotional poster.
Throughout his IB Visual Arts training, Jed continued refining his technical abilities while exploring increasingly ambitious projects involving painting, sculpture, and unconventional materials.
He graduated from Brent International School Baguio in May 2019, earning his Brent Diploma and IB Higher Level Visual Arts certificate.
He later pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Painting, at the University of Santo Tomas, graduating in 2023.
Artistic Style & Specializations
Spidercide's artistic practice spans several disciplines, allowing him to experiment with different materials, techniques, and visual storytelling approaches.
His specialties include:
- Oil, Acrylic & Watercolor Painting:
- Creating expressive portraits, imaginative compositions, and contemporary interpretations of familiar subjects.
- Portraiture & Mixed-Media Art:
- Combining traditional painting methods with unconventional materials to develop visually distinctive artwork.
- Comic Book Illustration:
- Exploring superhero narratives, character design, and alternative interpretations of popular fictional figures.
- LEGO Sculpture & Design:
- Constructing detailed three-dimensional artworks, architectural designs, and customized figures using LEGO elements.
- Miniature Painting & Sculpture:
- Bringing small-scale characters and structures to life through detailed craftsmanship.
His work is strongly influenced by Impressionism and Expressionism, particularly their emphasis on color, emotion, movement, and individual interpretation.
Rather than simply reproducing familiar comic book imagery, Spidercide uses these artistic influences to present recognizable characters through a different visual lens.
Where Superheroes Meet Fine Art
At the heart of Spidercide's work is a fascination with the relationship between pop culture and the world around us.
His creative inspiration comes from an unusual combination of comic books, cinema, television, music, history, and contemporary social themes.
A superhero character might remind him of a Coldplay song, a Blink-182 track, or a historical event. These seemingly unrelated influences become starting points for artwork that connects different ideas through color, composition, and symbolism.
He is particularly interested in uncovering overlooked details within comic book history, such as Batman's colorful costume variations from the 1950s, and reintroducing them through a contemporary artistic perspective.
By exploring lesser-known aspects of familiar characters, he encourages audiences to look beyond their mainstream portrayals.
His goal is not simply to recreate superheroes, but to reinterpret them in ways that feel unexpected, meaningful, and visually original.
Creativity Through Sustainability
Another defining element of Spidercide's artistic process is his commitment to making the most of available materials.
He frequently incorporates recycled and repurposed objects into his artwork, finding creative possibilities in materials that might otherwise be discarded.
Old paintbrushes, used pencils, leftover paint, and disposable materials can become essential components of his mixed-media compositions.
This approach extends to his LEGO sculptures, where older, unused, and even damaged LEGO pieces are given new purposes through imaginative construction.
For Spidercide, sustainability is not merely about reducing waste. It is another opportunity to experiment, innovate, and discover artistic possibilities within ordinary objects.
By transforming existing materials into something new, he demonstrates how creativity can breathe new life into even the most unexpected resources.
Exhibitions, Achievements & Notable Works
Throughout his artistic journey, Spidercide has developed an impressive portfolio of paintings, illustrations, and large-scale sculptures.
Among his notable works is a monumental Batman sculpture created using papier-mâché and mixed materials during his IB Higher Level Visual Arts program. The sculpture became one of the largest student artworks produced at Brent International School Baguio, demonstrating his early ambition to push beyond conventional artistic formats.
Another significant achievement was his fine arts thesis project, "The Brick Flower Maiden of Panagbenga," a life-sized LEGO-inspired female head sculpture celebrating the colorful spirit and cultural identity of Baguio City's Panagbenga Festival.
His artistic accomplishments also include:
- 2016:Featured in the Flora Art Exhibition, with his artwork appearing in promotional materials.
- 2019:Completed the Brent Diploma and IB Higher Level Visual Arts program at Brent International School Baguio.
- 2023:Graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Painting, from the University of Santo Tomas.
- 2024–2025:Participated in presentations connected to the Panagbenga Festival floats, showcasing large-scale sculptural works in collaboration with Filipino comedian Ketchup Eusebio.
- 2025:Interviewed by renowned Filipino television personality Korina Sanchez.
- 2025–2026:Participated in art exhibitions at The Manor, Camp John Hay, Baguio City.
These experiences reflect his continued growth as a multidisciplinary artist and his commitment to bringing unconventional artistic ideas into public spaces.
Beyond the Canvas
Outside his studio, Jed remains deeply connected to the interests that first inspired his artistic journey.
An enthusiastic comic book collector and LEGO enthusiast, he continues to explore different artistic interpretations of superheroes while studying the techniques and creative processes of other artists.
He also enjoys cosplay, films, television, music, and discovering new ways to combine these influences within his work.
To maintain an active lifestyle, Jed practices mixed martial arts exercises, takes regular walks and jogs, and enjoys playing Pokémon GO.
Living in Baguio City provides him with an environment that complements his creative routine. The city's cool climate, vibrant culture, and artistic community offer a comfortable setting for his continued exploration of painting, illustration, and sculpture.
The Vision Behind Spidercide
For Spidercide, artistic growth comes from continuously challenging familiar ideas and discovering new possibilities.
His work is driven by a desire to experiment with different materials, explore overlooked stories, and connect traditional fine art with contemporary pop culture.
Rather than repeating the same artistic formula, he strives to make every project a unique exploration of technique, imagination, and personal expression.
Whether through a colorful painting, an intricate comic illustration, or a large-scale LEGO sculpture, his mission remains the same:
To transform familiar characters and everyday materials into extraordinary works of art that inspire imagination, curiosity, and a new way of seeing the world.
Explore the World of Spidercide
Discover original paintings, comic-inspired illustrations, custom LEGO sculptures, and mixed-media creations that bring together fine art and popular culture.